New Zealand signs $1.5 billion deal with U.S. for five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to track submarines.

On October 16, 2026, New Zealand signed an agreement with the United States to acquire five Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters to replace its eight Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seasprites, with initial deliveries starting in 2030. The NZ$2.748 billion procurement, comprising NZ$1.648 billion in capital expenditure and NZ$110 million in annual operating funds over ten years, addresses existing frigate capability gaps by introducing dedicated surface strike, anti-submarine detection, and real-time Link 16 tactical data integration. Despite a 37.5 percent fleet size reduction, the platform transition introduces AN/AQS-22 low-frequency dipping sonars, AN/APS-153(V) radars, AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, and Mk 54 Mod 0 torpedoes aboard Anzac-class frigates.

New Zealand has signed a deal to acquire five US-made MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to replace eight Seasprites, equipping its naval frigates with improved submarine-hunting capabilities, lightweight torpedoes, and precision-guided weapons from 2030. (Picture source: Australian MoD)

On October 16, 2026, New Zealand signed an agreement with the United States to acquire five Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters to replace its eight older Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seasprites currently serving with the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), with deliveries beginning in 2030. The acquisition involves NZ$1.648 billion ($927.1 million) in capital expenditure and NZ$110 million ($61.9 million) in average annual operating funding over ten years, totaling NZ$2.748 billion ($1.546 billion). Following the selection by New Zealand of the MH-60R on August 21, 2025, Washington approved potential sales worth $1.5 billion for the helicopters and $69 million for torpedoes on June 5, 2026. The planned armament includes AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, APKWS rockets and Mk 54 Mod 0 torpedoes, alongside dipping sonars, magnetic anomaly detectors and Link 16 terminals. Although the helicopter fleet will shrink by 37.5%, the MH-60Rs will introduce additional capabilities aboard the Anzac-class frigates HMNZS Te Kaha (F77) and HMNZS Te Mana (F111), which have no dedicated ship-launched anti-ship strike missiles.

The MH-60R Seahawk combines the anti-submarine functions of the SH-60F with the maritime surveillance and surface warfare capabilities of the SH-60B. It measures 19.76 m in overall length, reaches 333 km/h, and has a range of 963 km, equivalent to 520 nautical miles. Two General Electric T700-GE-401D turboshaft engines provide propulsion, while folding rotor blades, a hinged tail, and corrosion protection facilitate shipboard storage. The wider SH-60 family has a 16.36 m main rotor, a height of 5.23 m and a maximum takeoff weight of 9,926 kg, although these figures are not separately confirmed for New Zealand's configuration. Three crew members operate four 8 × 10-inch multifunction displays, managing navigation, acoustic sensors, radar and weapons, while the MH-60R can transport more than 1,500 kg of cargo in utility configuration, supporting replenishment between frigates and shore facilities, personnel transfers and maritime rescue operations.

Related topic: US accepts Taiwan's preliminary request for up to 20 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to counter Chinese submarines

New Zealand will also acquire five AN/AQS-22-based Airborne Low Frequency Sonar systems and five digital magnetic anomaly detectors, providing each helicopter with active acoustic search and supplementary submarine localization capabilities. The sonar lowers a transducer beneath a hovering helicopter, while the magnetic detector measures disturbances produced by submerged metallic objects. AN/SSQ-53 DIFAR passive sonobuoys can operate at depths up to 300 m after deployment from altitudes reaching 9,144 m, while AN/SSQ-62 DICASS active sonobuoys reach 460 m and can be deployed from 9,000 m. AN/SSQ-36 bathythermograph sonobuoys measure temperature profiles affecting acoustic propagation, although procurement quantities for these three types remain unspecified. A separate US$69 million package covers 20 Mk 54 Mod 0 lightweight torpedoes, equivalent to four rounds per helicopter across the procurement inventory, plus exercise weapons, air-launch accessories, containers and training equipment.

The surveillance package detailed in the earlier FMS includes five AN/APS-153(V) multimode radars capable of surface-contact tracking and automatic periscope detection, alongside AN/AAS-44C(V) electro-optical and infrared targeting systems with laser ranging. Five AN/ALQ-210 electronic support measures systems will detect radar emissions without requiring the helicopter to transmit actively. Seven Link 16 terminals comprise five installed units and two spares, while 14 GPS/inertial navigation systems with anti-spoofing modules comprise ten installed units and four spares. The AN/ARQ-59 Hawklink provides helicopter-to-ship communications, supported by AN/ARC-210 RT-2036 secure radios and AN/APX-123 identification-friend-or-foe transponders. For their part, the AN/AAR-47 missile-warning equipment and AN/ALE-47 countermeasure dispensers provide defensive functions, allowing the MH-60R helicopters to combine surveillance, contact identification, and tactical information exchange beyond their frigates' radar horizons.

The weapon inventory includes 65 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, averaging 13 per helicopter, and 225 APKWS 70 mm guided rockets, averaging 45 per aircraft. The AGM-114R uses semi-active laser guidance and a multipurpose warhead, while each APKWS employs 225 WGU-59A/B guidance sections for smaller precision engagements. M299 missile launchers can support established MH-60R configurations carrying up to eight Hellfires across two four-rail launchers, although New Zealand's launcher quantities remain unspecified. The package also includes LAU-61 rocket launchers, four M36E8 captive training missiles, five M240D 7.62 mm machine guns and GAU-21 12.7 mm guns. These weapons will permit the two frigates to engage suitable patrol boats and fast attack craft through an embarked helicopter, but will not replace the range or warhead capacity of dedicated heavy anti-ship missiles.

A five-aircraft fleet leaves limited reserves when both Anzac-class frigates deploy simultaneously. Embarking one MH-60R aboard Te Kaha and another aboard Te Mana commits 40% of the inventory, leaving three helicopters for training, maintenance and other missions. At an illustrative 80% availability rate, four helicopters would be available on average, falling to three at 60%, although New Zealand has announced neither target. Under the latter scenario, two deployed helicopters would consume 66.7% of available aircraft, leaving one for other flying requirements. RNZN aircrew will fly the MH-60Rs, while RNZAF No. 6 Squadron will maintain them, continuing the Seasprite arrangement. Whether five Seahawks can sustain more anti-submarine patrol hours for New Zealand than eight Seasprites will depend on serviceability, trained crews, sonobuoy stocks and maintenance cycles, not simply the newer helicopters' individual capabilities. RNZAF Base Auckland at Whenuapai will receive temporary facilities and infrastructure-design funding, while permanent infrastructure, training systems and complementary uncrewed aircraft remain subject to future investment decisions.

The first deliveries are scheduled for 2030, but the fifth aircraft's delivery date, operational capability milestones and Seasprite retirement timetable remain unconfirmed. Australia provides the principal regional comparison, having operated MH-60Rs since 2014 and maintained 23 helicopters in October 2026 following a 2021 loss in the South China Sea. Thirteen additional helicopters, ordered in 2022, are expected to begin arriving in late 2026, increasing the planned Royal Australian Navy inventory to 36 Seahawks. That force is intended to support 14 simultaneous shipborne helicopter flights through three operational squadrons and one training squadron. Combined with New Zealand's five Seahawks, the planned bilateral MH-60R inventory will reach 41 aircraft, with New Zealand accounting for 12.2%. Australia's separate purchase of 40 UH-60M Black Hawks will bring the combined H-60-family inventory to 81 aircraft, although those army helicopters have different mission equipment. Common MH-60R configurations may support shared training, maintenance, and spare parts arrangements, but no pooled inventory or joint operational structure has been confirmed.

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Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, South Korea, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.